Cool it with Creative Cocktails (and Mocktails!)

By: Shannon Yarbrough, Director of Sales, Orange County

Grab your sunnies, a palm frond, and the trendiest bar cart, because we’re diving headfirst into the world of summer drinks that do more than quench thirst. They kick off conversations and look damn good in photos.

These days, handing someone a standard-issue gin and tonic isn’t going to cut it. Your guests want moments. They want a reason to walk up to the bar other than just refilling their glass. They want to post it, taste it, remember it. And if they’re not drinking? They still want the same energy. No one wants to be the sad soul nursing a plain soda while everyone else sips in style.

So, let’s talk about the drink experience because, yes, it is an experience now.

Beyond the Bar: Beverage Stations That Get Noticed

Clients are over the cookie-cutter bar setups. They’re asking for something more interactive, more immersive, more Instagrammable. And we’re here for it.

We’re talking custom bar builds with personality. Think hanging florals, artful signage, specialty garnishes, and glassware that’s more “ooh, where’d you get that?” than “eh, just another rocks glass.” A coconut water station with coconuts cracked fresh on the spot? Let’s go. A spritz bar where guests choose their own adventure via herbs, syrups, and prosecco pairings? Absolutely. Juicer on-site for fresh-squeezed grapefruit? It’s a must. Because that Yuzu Paloma does not hit the same with pre-bottled anything. Trust me.

The Rise of the Health-Conscious Hydrator

Let’s get real: not everyone is drinking. And even those who are still want options that won’t leave them clinging to the hydration station by hour three.

That’s why we’re loving the rise of wellness-focused summer beverages that don’t feel like a compromise. Mocktails that bring just as much drama and flavor to the table as their boozy cousins. Low-sugar refreshers that hydrate without boring you to tears. Drinks with benefits like adaptogens, botanicals, and electrolytes that feel a little indulgent but still let you say, ‘yep, I’m making smart choices.’.

Some crowd favorites:

• Cucumber mint spritzers: Light, fresh, and feels like a spa day in a glass.
• Sparkling water infusions: Think blackberry-sage or watermelon-lime with a twist of herbal magic.
• Coconut water bar: Serve it straight from the shell, or jazz it up with tropical fruit and edible flowers.

Drink Design: When the Beverage Sets the Vibe

Here’s a hot take: your signature summer drink can (and should) influence your entire design plan.

That Aperol Spritz you picked because it’s cute and tasty? It’s now the foundation of your event palette that includes bright citrus linens, sunset-toned florals, playful acrylic menus. And the bar? It’s not just where drinks get poured, it’s where your design story starts.

We’ve even seen events start with the drink concept first. That’s right, I’m saying build the mood board off a beverage, not the other way around. Wild? Maybe. Effective? Every time.

Our Go-To Summer Sippers (and Zero-Proof Power Players)

You want a hit list? You got it. Here are some of my favorite summer drinks to serve at events right now, both spiked and sober.

Cocktails

• Yuzu Paloma: Tequila + fresh-squeezed yuzu + fresh squeezed grapefruit + tajín rim. Vibrant, tart, and straight-up addictive.
• Garden Gimlet: Gin + cucumber + basil + lime. Herbaceous, bright, and garden party-ready.
• Smoked Pineapple Mezcal Margarita: fresh pineapple + mezcal + Triple Sec + fresh lime juice + agave syrup + smoked salt rim with lime wheel. For guests who want a little fire with their fruit.
• Peach & Thyme Spritz: diced peaches + fresh thyme + honey + vodka + fresh lemon juice + club soda. Light, floral, and so pretty it hurts.

Mocktails

• Citrus Shrub Cooler: Shrub + soda + seasonal citrus + mint. Acidic, complex, and criminally underused.
• Lavender Lemonade: lavender syrup + sparkling water. Sweet, floral, and instantly calming. Ideal for daytime events or wellness activations.
• Chili Mango Fizz: Mango puree + chili tincture + lime + sparkling water. Spicy, tangy, and totally unexpected.
• Blueberry Coconut Crush: Coconut water + muddled blueberries + lime. Hydration meets summer flavor.

Final Sip

Event profs, it’s time to stop treating the beverage station like an afterthought. In this heat, make summer drinks your main character moment. Whether you’re leaning into color, culture, wellness, or full-on party mode, there’s a drink (or three) that can drive your whole design forward.

And hey, if you need a destination management company with food and beverage savvy that can source the coconut guy, book the botanical mixologist, and make your mocktail bar look like it belongs in a design mag? You know who to call.

Bottoms up!